Fish-bait adjusting device



March 21, 1933. J. CATARAU FISH BAIT ADJUSTING DEVICE Filed Oct. 29, 1930 1N VENTOR.

Patented Mar. 21, 1933 enrer JULES cATAnAU, OF SEATTIJE, wnsnrireron FISH-BAIT ADJUSTING DEVICE Application filed October 29, 1930. Serial No. 491,864.

The invention relates to a new and useful fish-bait adjusting device consisting of a conicoid and an elliptical hoop contrived to retain conjointly the herring bait and secure it to the wire leader of a trolling line; the conicoid within the mouth of the herring and the elliptical hoop surrounding its snout from the outside.

The conicoid is perforated through its major axis, in order that it may be moved forth and back upon the wire leader, and has a setscrew bored through its radius and communicating with the said perforation through its axis, in order that said conicoid may be locked upon the wire leader at any desirable distance from the fish-hook.

The elliptical hoop is provided with two rows of sharp teeth set within its portions remotest from the center and pointing toward its center with a distance from the points of one row to the points of the other equal to the breadth of the said hoop at its minor axis and slightly lesser than the diameter of the said conicoid at its base, in order that said conicoid shall not pass entirely through the said hoop when brought together for their application.

The invention is illustrated in the accoinpanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a partly sectioned perspective view of a conicoid-shaped member made in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a plan View of a hoop constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of said conicoid-shaped member and of said hoop brought together for co-action.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrates the manner of applying the device on a minnow.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawing.

The Fig. 1, on drawing, illustrates a siderear view of the conicoid and its longitudinal cross-section; 1, its base; 2, the longitudinal perforation through its major axis; 3,

the screw-threaded bore through its radius; and 4:, a headless slotted male-screw to fit said bore.

The Fig. 2 illustrates a plan view of the elliptical hoop with its teeth 5, 5, 5, 5, set

cation.

The Fig. 4 illustrates the first phase of the applying of the said conicoid and the said elliptical hoop; the conicoid, locked upon the wire leader at a desirable distance from the fish-hook, is introduced through themouth of the herring into its gill-cavity the elliptical hoop is slipped then on the snout of the same herring.

The Fig. 5 illustrates the second (last) phase of the applying of the said conicoid and of the said elliptical hoop; a pull on the wire leader brings the conicoid forward into the mouth of the herring forcing its jaws into the portions remotest from the center of the hoop until the teeth thrust fully into the herrings snout, thus looking it between the inside rim of the hoop and the circumferential surface of the conicoid, so as to prevent the escape of the herring bait and hold the said herring in a position to follow the trolling celerity in an alluring natural-like manner, head first.

Actually, the baiting of the trolling line in commercial fishing is done in a most complicated manner and requires much time and material. As the Wire leader is too stiff to be handled a string is used to tie the herring bait between the wire leader and the fishhook. Said string often, chewed by the hooked fish, parts and the injured fish escapes carrying away the fish-hook and dies later in the depths.

With my invention such miscarriage is impossible, for it renders the use of a string I unnecessary, permitting the successful use of a Wire leader uninterruptedly throughout.

Therefore I claim; A fish-bait adjusting device comprising a 5 leader, a conicoid-shaped member, means for adjustably securing said member for axial movement along said leader, a hoop loosely mounted on said leader and having inwardly directed prongs the inner ends of said prongs defining an opening of less diameter than the base diameter of the conicoid-shaped member whereby the base of said member constitutes a stop to limit movement of the hoop along the leader.

JULES CATARAU; 

